The Australian mealybugs (Homoptera : Pseudococcidae) of Xanthorrhoea (Xanthorrhoeaceae)

Abstract

Xanthorrhoea is recorded for the first time as a host-plant genus of Australian mealybugs. Three new mealybug species, Dysmicoccus waustensis, D. saustralis, and Pseudococcus xanthorrhoeae, are recorded on Xanthorrhoea species (grass-trees) from disjunct localities. The adult females of all three species and the third instar female of P. xanthorrhoeae are described and illustrated. A key is provided for these grass-tree mealybugs and their relationships to previously described species are discussed.